When news spread of Nicolás Maduro’s arrest following a US attack on Venezuela on January 3, the phrase that seemed to capture the moment was “what madness!” As Venezuelans around the world turned to their phones and anxiously followed the news, they tried to understand what they were seeing.
Based on our long-term ethnographic research with Venezuelans living in Spain, the United States, and Venezuela, the stories and interviews presented below show the various ways in which these events are being experienced and understood.
In the Spanish capital, Madrid, many Venezuelan migrants celebrated what they considered a long-awaited turning point. But in the Venezuelan diaspora and within the country, others described an eerie silence and deep fear about what could come next. These contrasting reactions reveal a moment marked as much by uncertainty and distrust as by relief and hope.
In Puerta del Sol square, headquarters of the Madrid regional government, we joined hundreds of Venezuelans who gathered to celebrate the news that Maduro had been detained by the United States. What started as a small gathering soon grew into a festive atmosphere.
Anti-government chants like “and it has already fallen, and it has already fallen, this government has already fallen!” and “gone, gone!” They echoed in the square.
Many Venezuelans, many of whom had requested political asylum in Spain, hugged, screamed, cried and danced under a 32-meter Christmas tree, enjoying a moment of relief. An older woman, dressed as US President Donald Trump, handed out counterfeit bills as a “reward” for Maduro’s capture.
Another attendee, a 26-year-old delivery driver, told how he partied until the early hours of the morning in a bar decorated with Venezuelan flags. “I’m very, very happy,” he said. “They finally captured that dictator.”
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But these jubilant scenes were not the only reaction. Other Venezuelans we spoke to expressed a more cautious and conditional hope. In an interview over the weekend in Madrid, a Venezuelan woman named Araceli explained that she did not feel comfortable attending the celebrations in Puerta del Sol.
“I just feel very sad. I’m glad Maduro is going to jail, but I know the repercussions. I know what a war means.” She continued through tears: “I just want my family to be safe. I just want simple things. I can’t celebrate until I know my family is safe.”
Similar sentiments were shared by Guillermo, a Venezuelan we interviewed online who currently lives in Chicago, United States. “It’s confusing. I’m glad Maduro lost power, but I’m scared because I fear the consequences of the United States taking control of my country.”
Many Venezuelan migrants want the chance to return to a stable country, but are worried about how Venezuela’s heavily militarized regime will respond to the US attack. Since Maduro’s capture, security forces and pro-government motorized gangs known as collectives have patrolled the streets of the capital, Caracas.
They are also deeply distrustful of Trump’s intentions. Following Maduro’s capture, Trump said the United States would “rule” Venezuela, although several prominent Republicans quickly retracted that claim.
Reaction within Venezuela
This feeling of caution is also experienced in the streets of Venezuela. Ernesto, a small business owner in the central city of Barquisimeto, told us how his friends and neighbors are reacting to Maduro’s arrest.
“A lot of anticipation and uncertainty. There is joy that Maduro is gone, but no one celebrates in public. Many people do not go out for fear of being stopped and their car or money stolen if they are on the street. Others have gone out to stock up on food and gasoline in case there is a shortage.”
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Maduro’s removal also highlights long-standing political tensions. Luis, originally from Valencia, sent us a voice message telling us how he had to leave WhatsApp family groups to avoid political discussions. “Oh, you are the best Donald Trump, thank you! Make Venezuela great again! It makes me very sad and angry,” he said sarcastically.
Anger at what many perceive as naked U.S. imperialism is expressed among Venezuelans across the political spectrum, including those who never supported the Bolivarian Revolution launched by Hugo Chávez, Maduro’s predecessor.
“I’m skeptical,” says Jaime, a Caracas resident. “I don’t know if I should be happy because I don’t like Trump’s tone. He continues with his theory that we stole his oil and that sets a terrible precedent. Losing our sovereignty over the resource that sustains Venezuela would be a horrible thing.”
Similar concerns are shared by Valentina, a retired academic in Valencia. She told us: “Imagine, we are being invaded by the United States! It’s horrible, but we can’t do anything, just wait and see what your administration will be like.”
These diverse reactions show how geopolitical ruptures are experienced through family, friendship and daily routine, influencing decisions and intimate relationships. As Venezuela becomes the focal point of a seismic reordering of the global political order, ordinary Venezuelans are once again seeing their lives restructured by forces beyond their control.
In the Venezuelan transnational population, the present moment is simultaneously marked by hope, fear, and deep uncertainty about what the future holds.
This article was originally published on The Conversation
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